Adhesive and method of making the same



application of paper labels and smooth hard surface.

' the Pianos Dec. 26, 1944 John J. Harris, Chicago, n1.

No Drawing. Application May 17, 1941, Serial No. 394,017

1.01am. (oi. sec-44c This invention relates to an adhesive and a method of making the same and more particularly to an adhesive which is adapted to be'used in the the like to a In the application of paper labels and the like to smooth hard surfaces such as metal orglass an adhesive should be used which will cause the label to adhere to the surface when applied and to continue to adhere for an indefinite period of time thereafter. At the same time, the label should be readily removable. I Preferably the label should be removable without tearing or destroying the fiber of the Paper. The adhesive itself should also be readily removable from the suriace when the label is removed. The problem is particularly serious with respect to metal surfaces such as steel, tin plated cans or containers,

The m material which is used should be capable oi absorbing moisture from the air to prevent the complete drying out of the adhesive composition even after long periods of time. Al-

though any hygroscopic material may be used for this purpose, I prefer to use such materials as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and sodium chlorate. Organic, hygroscopic materials such as glycerine, the slycols and their derivatives may also'be used. The use oi a small quantity of soap in the mixture provides further adhesive and qualities and adds detergent moisture the composition I preferto use a properties to laundry map for this purpose although any type of soap may be used. By the use of the term soap I mean to include the water-soluble salts of the glass bottles, varnished, lacquered or enameled surfaces.

with the ordinary adhesive the application of a M981 base to such a surface results in an adhedve bond which either fails to provide the necessary adhesiveness for the label t remain in place for substantial periods of time or, on the other hand, the label is not readily removable or when removed leaves a residue of the adhesive bond which is itself diilicult to remove and tends to stain the surface.

The present invention provides an adhesive which is adapted t secure paper on other materials to hard smooth surfaces and to maintain the material in position for long periods of time. The material may, however, be readily separated from the surface to which itis applied and the adhesive itself readily removed from the surface.

v to gether with the soap.

As a specific example oi the preparation of the adhmive composition iii pounds 01" magnesium chloride y lie-added to 410 pounds of water and dissolved therein. To the ure is added 165 80 additional 10 pounds oiv magnesium chloride is In the removal of the material and the adhesive or affected by the removal. The adhesive composition of this invention also provides for a high. 1? water-resistant bond.

addition of a suitable soap. The water-absorbent clay may be of any suitable type. Bentonite is have been used in connection with the invention.

Clays of this type are colloidal or semi-colloidal incharacter and tend to absor water. 5

most highly water-absorbent oi the clays now from the surface the material is not destroyed 40 the composition of In general the invention relates to an adhesive composition wherein a water-absorbent clay such as bentonite is mixed with hygroscopic material such as masnesium chloride with or without the then added to the solution. i /2 pounds of soap are separately lved in water and the solution added to the bentonite suspension. If desired, 1 pound of a suitable preservative such as the phenol derivaflve sold by the Monsanto Chemical Co. under the trade-name, Santobrite may be added to the mixture. Approximately 800 pounds of the adhesive composition are thus produced. The ingredients of By dissolving the hygroscopic salt in water be,- foreadding the bentonite it is possible to obtain a better dispersion of the bentonite. The mixture is thinner and more readilyhandled than would otherwise be the case. By using a salt such as magnesium chloride as the hygroscopic mal6 'te'rial an additional advantage isobtained in that this particular example are such salts aid in providing a better adhesive for metal surfaces.

The bentonite or other clay acts as the primary adhesive in the composition. As is well known, bentonite when moist possessesvaluable adhesive properties. When the bentonite dries out and loses its moisture, its adhesive properties tend to be at least partially lost. By using a hygroscopic material in the composition, sufllcient moisture is maintained therein to utilize the maximum adhesive properties of the bentonite. The

the surface to which it is applied.

The adhesive composition when used in applying paper labels to metal surfaces for example, will cause the label to adhere to the surface. The label will be completely self-sustaining and resistant to ordinary friction which it is likely to encounter. When it is desired to remove the label it may be stripped from the metal surface by merely lifting one end of the label and drawing it from the surface. The adhesive composition will be partially removed with the label. Any adhesive which remains on the surface may be readily removed by washing the surface or by wiping it with a damp cloth.

'gent which aids in removing the adhesive from assasvs 'hesive for use on masking tape for example, it

has been found desirable to incorporate 20% or 25% of rubber latex in the composition.

Altho..gh the composition has been described in connection with its use for the application of paper labels and the like to metal, glass, varnish or other hard smooth surfaces, it will be understood that there are many other uses for the composition and it is not intended to be limited to any particular purpose or function. I

While in the foregoing specification certain steps, conditions and ingredients are set forth as illustrating the invention, it will be understood that those skilled in the art may modify such steps, conditions and ingredients without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

An adhesive composition of the character described comprising, approximately bentonite,

water-soluble soap and 1% preservative.

JOHN J. HARRIS. 

